She Knits By The Seashore

Wounded, but Still Walking (and Knitting)

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers and comfort. It has been such a hard week for us, but it does get a little easier each day, the happy and funny memories taking over the sad ones bit by bit.

Tim doesn't seem to be disturbed by his brand-new only catness. He's enjoying the extra attention and coming around for company more often than he used to. He helped me photograph some images this morning.

"I don't think this is really my color..."

The body of the pink camisole is nearly complete. I need to decide how I want to proceed with the top, to follow the design and add more stitches to the rows across the chest, or to abandon the cross over in the front and knit it as one piece.

(from IK site)

What do you think? I want to take the top up for more coverage and I don't know if one knitted piece will ruin the design.

Lynne is collecting mittens for Christmas and so I've started on two pair, using a now vintage pattern that my mother used when she used to make mittens for us. The top two need final seaming, and I've begun the thumb area on the two on the needle.

"This could work. I'll take it."

On Saturday afternoon, I went to a not LYS that has an amazing selection of yarn. I treated myself to some black Rowan Big Wool in preparation for Fantine. I'm not going to start it yet, as it will be my reward for finishing the camisole, but I couldn't leave without taking something home.

I am again late to the party, I'm sure, but finally got a close up look at the many colors of La Boheme by Fiesta Yarns. Wow. I know you are all thinking, Debby, that is so 2003! I saw a few of them when looking for the ribbon and rayon boucle yarns I used for Oceane, but this time fell madly in love with Rain forest. It has pink and blue but in fall shades, mixed with a little copper. Try as I might, I couldn't find a good link for the colors I saw. The store only had one skein, and I need two for a shawl, so I'm going to check locally and see if they carry it. If not, I'll order that one skein and have it shipped and see what else I can use it for. Why oh why do I keep finding irresistable shawl yarns when I really want to be making sweaters??!!

If you received an invitation from me for Shelfari and did not want it, I apologize. I received one from someone, and as I was looking through the site and wanted to send an invite to one or two people, it copied my entire address book and sent out invitations. It's since happened to someone who got my invite too. I don't know if the site developers did this on purpose, but it is very embarrassing and does not exactly endear them to me. So please be careful with it!

Some had asked me about donating to an IBD organization in memory of Charlie, which is so sweet and thoughtful. If you'd like to do that (or just see what studies are taking place in animal disease and treatment), the Morris Animal Foundation is a great site to check out. The Winn Feline Foundation also supports the advance of veterinary medicine, and you can specify the type of research you want to support, in this case, GI or gastrointestinal disorders. I was so happy to find associations that fund studies for animals, as I didn't know they existed. And we'll be continuing in Charlie's Spokescat honor next spring with another Get Your Guts in Gear fundraiser, for human IBD patients like his Person. Now keep hugging your furry loved ones tight!

Irreplaceable

Our Charlie cat passed away yesterday morning. Chris and I are heartbroken but it is a relief not to see him suffer anymore.

Please hug your furry loved ones extra tight today for us, and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Rhinebeck 2007

Very last minute, Chris and I went to Rhinebeck on Saturday for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day and he took lots of photos to give you an idea of what we saw there.

The Parking Lots

The barns of yarn (click for the full effect)

The angora rabbits

The alpacas and llamas

The sheep

Believe it or not, I didn't purchase a single thing! It was overwhelming to see so much yarn in one place and I couldn't decide on anything. I didn't have any particular projects in mind. But I was thrilled to meet a few blogfriends in person.

Me Debby and Chappy's Mom Deb. Chappy's Grandma, a lovely lady, is missing from the picture.

Jessica and I squinting at the sun.

I'm sorry I didn't get photos of Kimberly, Rebecca, Greeley, and Jess and Casey from Ravelry, whom I also met. And I missed Valerie -- must remember to give her my cell number next time. There's so much to see and do that sometimes your head spins and you forget things.

After the photos and lunch, I transformed from Knitgirl into Cyclegirl. Chris had brand new wheels to try out on his bike, and I hadn't been riding for a few weeks (knee is all better now!). Rhinebeck has a scenic loop with not too many hills and only a few spots of traffic.

Chris, blog photographer and husband extraordinaire

I've been making good progress on the camisole and also a Christmas scarf, so I'll share photos of those next time. The bathroom wallpaper project is on hold for a little while.

Thank you so much for all of your kind and thoughtful comments and prayers for Charlie and us. There are no words meaningful enough to express my thanks for your friendship during this difficult time, online or in person. It is a great comfort to me.

Two Finished Objects

The angora scarf is finished (but unblocked).

Pattern: Lacy Garter Stitch scarf, from a knitting teacher friend

Yarn: Naturally Sensation, Merino Angora, shade # 300, 2 skeins

Needles: Aluminium size 8

Size: approx 6" wide, 46" long

Mods: None really, just knitted 4 rows of garter instead of 5 on the borders.

The curly mohair scarf in the previous post was frogged last night. The yarn was difficult to unravel and I'm disappointed that some of the loops became undone. This yarn was not inexpensive. If you want to work with loopy mohair, I'd recommend the Color Me or Schaefer brands instead. I'm experimenting with something else for a Christmas scarf, and if it works, I'll show you a photo next time.

Kyle tagged me for the 8 weird things meme a little while ago, but since I have already done the six weird things and seven random things, I thought I'd just post the links here, and add one: I don't have a sweet tooth (ie chocolate or candy), but have become addicted to the chocolate chip cookies at Dunkin Donuts. Badly.

We're a little more than half way done removing the bathroom wallpaper. I'll try to get a progress shot soon (it's dark and rainy today). In the meantime, I've got a dining room shot for you. This room is done for now, though someday I hope to paint over the brown (my least favorite color), update my old curtains, make the room less formal, etc. It's hard when you want to do everything at once!

Rhinebeck: After much going back and forth in my mind about it, I've decided to go on Saturday. I'll wear the pink pie wedge shawl and if you see me, please say hello! I will do the same. My email is adamsdebra AT sbcglobal DOT com if you'd like to contact me, and here is a picture of me in a previous post.

We received some sad news today from our vet. The specialist said that Charlie isn't responding to the chemotherapy, and there isn't anything else they can do. We are going to just take it day by day and make him as comfortable as possible. We would very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Picot Camisole & Catching Up

This photo was taken at night, so I apologize for the bad lighting. Here is Picot Camisole version 3.0 from IK Spring 06(click to enlarge). I've knit another few inches since then, having added rows to the midsection to make it longer, per the advice of Ravelers who have knitted this top before me. I need to try it on again and see if it's time to start increasing for the upper waist and chest portion.

The ivory angora scarf in the previous post is done, so I've started working on a loopy mohair scarf. This yarn (see photo with Tim) does not seem to be as good quality as the Color Me loopy mohair I used for a previous scarf, and I'm trying to decide if I want to continue with it, or do something else. My yarn for the Louet Caroline sweater is still backordered.

Because of work and home projects, I haven't posted as often as I'd like, and I realize that I'm probably forgetting things I want to share with you. Here are a few random thoughts:

I didn't ride in the Tri-State Seacoast Century (100 mile ride) several weekends ago, as I'd planned. I had hurt my knee on the ride the weekend before, and was hoping that it would heal in time. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well the night before the ride, and when I woke up, the knee was burning. I knew I couldn't ride 10 miles, much less the 100, so I stayed behind at the hotel to work on Oceane while Chris and his friend Larry did the ride. I am so disappointed, but there's always next year.

Charlie is losing weight again, after a promising start on his chemotherapy. He's pretty weak and wobbles a little when he walks. He goes back to the vet for a checkup on Wednesday. Tim will also go for his yearly checkup, which will be fun. He has "Caution" written in large letters at the top of his chart! The vet is an hour away from our new house, so please wish me luck on the ride in the car.

The Before Pictures

I've started removing wallpaper from an upstairs bathroom. I can't replace the brown tub and sink (see financial reasons #1 & #2, paragraph above) but we've removed the glass shower doors, and a new curtain and coat of paint will make a big difference.

One of the things that amazes me about moving is how your tastes change. Has this happened to you? I used to love Victorian style and haunt the antique stores for vintage accessories and pictures to hang on our walls. When I unpacked the pictures and started to try to place them, nothing seemed right. Instead of floral botanical drawings and women and men in fancy Edwardian dress, I'm wanting prints or paintings of seaside landscapes in France and Tuscany, still lifes of starfish and shells, and I've discovered some prints by Jack Vettriano that I love. Instead of heavy floral prints on the curtains I want lighter fabrics and paint colors and frames. Especially now that autumn has descended on us with a vengeance.

Comfort Knitting: A Scarf

The Christmas gift scarf is almost done. It's a simple pattern in an angora-blend wool that I think the recipient will love. This year I've planned ahead (finally!), deciding on a few simple knitted gifts and starting them early enough so they are comfort knitting instead of stress knitting.

Comfort knitting is a beautiful thing. Some knitters dread endless rows of stockinette or other simple patterns, but I don't mind. When I'm tired or too worried to concentrate on more complicated things, I like the soothing motions of knitting without the predicted ripping of rows with mistakes. The scarf becomes a familiar friend. I think, "I know you. You're k2, p2, YO, p2" and you always will be. I can rely on that. I don't have to watch so carefully, afraid of missing something that will offend your pattern and cause me to repent and rip. I can come to you in worry or weariness and you will accept me as I am. I don't have to be on my best knitting behavior with you."

Sock and dishcloth knitters know what I'm talking about, whether they want to admit it or not. Scarves (or socks or dishcloths) are like Linus' blanket. You can take them everywhere with you, and just knowing they're within a hand's reach somehow makes you feel safer and secure and less lonely. "A few more rows, and everything will be OK."

(Sorry for the dark images. It's been gloomy weather for days).

So I bought a whole book of them. Ocean-themed, because that is my other comfort. They may become Christmas gifts, or I may use other patterns, but just knowing there is a whole book of scarves with starfish and shell motifs and names like "Gulls over the Bay" and "Ocean Currents" on my shelf makes me feel much better.

What is your dream comfort knitting book? "Mountain Views: Socks for Hiking and Hibernating in Log Cabins?" "Caffeine Haze: Cozy Shrugs for Coffee Mugs?" "Chocolat: Afghans that will Melt around You (this one comes with accompanying recipes}?" "In the Garden: Hats for English/French/Italian Gardeners?" Knitting Marketers please take note.

Oceane by the Ocean

I couldn't resist.

Pattern: Oceane by French Girl.
Yarn: Gelato and Rayon Boucle, both by Fiesta Yarns. Two skeins each, in the Caribbean colorway.
Needles: Size 17US Brittany needles (Pattern calls for size 19US)
Finished Size: Approx. 20" x 72"

Notes: Pattern calls for Rowan's Linen Print, now discontinued, but still available in some shops. Since I wanted a blue green color, I substituted the ribbon yarn. On its own, it doesn't hold the pattern well. The boucle and smaller needles give it more body, though still retaining a silky drape. Pattern is relatively easy, but if you are using slippery yarn, I highly recommend a lifeline. Drop one stitch, and you'll be re-knitting ten rows. Which I did. Several times.

This was supposed to be my project for the Tour de France KAL, but it turned out to be my project for the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain, also 3 weeks long) instead. Now I'm working on last year's unofficial TdF project, the picot camisole, 3.0 version. It's my longest-standing and only UFO, which tells you how much I've been avoiding it this year. The good news is, I'm further along than ever before, and I put the stitches on the circular needle in the correct direction this time. There is no bad news so far, but I'm still not entirely happy with this picking up of stitches from a sideways garter stitch border (and having to add in noticeable increases on the seam). The OCD part of me wants perfection, the rational part of me wants to believe local knitting expert friends, who looked at it for the umpteenth time this week, and tell me it's fine. I'm also working on a car-knitting Christmas scarf, for a very important person in Charlie's life. :)